The Miami Marlins are nearing a resolution to a federal lawsuit filed by a baseball collector, James Kevin Gossett, who claimed the team failed to honor a deal to sell him a base used in a game where Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani made history by reaching 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. A court filing on Friday indicated that both parties are close to finalizing the matter but have been delayed due to the holiday season and scheduling conflicts.
Gossett alleged that he had agreed to pay $2,500 for the base from which Ohtani departed when he stole his 50th base. The arrangement was that Gossett would receive first base if Ohtani stole second to hit the milestone. However, during the Dodgers’ game in Miami on September 19, Ohtani stole third base to reach his 50th steal, seemingly entitling Gossett to second base instead. Despite this, the Marlins did not remove second base as agreed and allowed the Dodgers to claim it when Ohtani stole second to mark his 51st steal in the same game.
